By Joy Odor
Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) FCT Council Holds Thanksgiving Service to Strengthen Press Freedom Resolve.
The (NUJ) FCT Council reaffirmed its commitment to press freedom, warning against growing attempts to silence journalists.
This declaration was made during a thanksgiving service held at World Harvest Ministries in Jikwoyi as part of the 2025 Press Week activities.
Delivering a sermon themed “Seeking Deliverance from the Athens Troubles of Life,” Archbishop Professor Leonard Bature Kawas urged journalists to be spiritually alert and courageous in the face of challenges.
Drawing from Matthew 16:18–19, he reminded journalists and other worshippers that they carry divine authority to govern their territories and must not surrender to fear, false prophecies, or the cruelty of the devil.
“There is a battle at every level of life,” the Archbishop said. “You must know who you are and not be caught unawares. Christians have the power to bind and to lose, and must reject the devil at every turn.”
The church service drew a diverse crowd, including Christians, Muslims, and people of other faiths highlighting the unity of purpose that defines the NUJ FCT community.
The NUJ FCT Chairperson, Comrade Grace Ike, described this year’s Press Week theme as timely and essential, emphasizing that “press freedom is non-negotiable.”
Comrade Ike declared that despite challenges such as misinformation and harassment, journalists will continue to speak truth to power.
She reaffirmed the union’s commitment to a free press, warning against growing attempts to silence journalists.
“Press freedom is non-negotiable,” she said. “Despite the challenges, be it misinformation, disinformation, or harassment, journalists will continue to speak truth to power.
“We will not be intimidated. We are workers in the vineyard of truth, and like today’s sermon declared, whatever we declare shall come to pass. We declare press freedom for Nigerian journalists, especially in the FCT” she concluded.
The NUJ Press Week will continue with activities aimed at fostering unity among journalists and promoting press freedom in Nigeria’s democracy.
